You know, the fullback who racked up a school record 34 career touchdowns thanks to running all over you these past couple years?

Sure, Baune was All-State in high school, but it wasn’t for his ability to run through holes.

Rather, his ability to create them, as he played center – yep, you read that correctly – center for Fargo South High School.

“I played guard on Concordia’s JV my freshman year, then sophomore year they had me as a tight end,” he said. He got leaner and faster over the years (dropping from 4.8 seconds in the 40-yard dash to about 4.5).

Brett Baune (credit: Concordia)

“Then my junior year, the top two fullbacks went down with injuries and they moved me over there. Then I was a starter.”

The senior became the cornerstone in helping the Cobbers put together a 8-2 mark this season, the most wins since 2005 — the team just missed making the NCAA postseason. The two-time MIAC Player of the Week racked up 250 yards against Buena Vista earlier this fall, and put together three second-half scores against Gustavus in the season finale to tally 34 total TDs.

“He came over and gave me a big hug, and told me how proud he was of me — how deserving he felt I was,” Baune said. “I could just feel how genuine it was.”

The biology major with a classical studies minor took some time to share his post-college plans, and his undying love for “Friday Night Lights.”

Classical studies minor?
It’s a lot of classical literature and Latin. It’s unique. It’s what everyone looks at as the high point of human society. That drew my interest.

Favorite European destination?
I recently went to Europe to visit my brother (Aaron) who was teaching English in France. He’s now in med school at UND and we traveled to Germany, the Czech Republic and a lot of other places. I want to go back sometime soon.

Brett Baune is the first Cobber fullback in history to tally more than 1,000 rushing yards (1,050). (credit: Concordia)

Favorite ‘Friday Night Lights’ character?
You see transformation in characters. Right away, I didn’t like Tim Riggins. And then as the seasons go on, you see the kind of guy he is. You see deeper morality. I think Coach Taylor is a perfect human being.

Big fan of author Michael Crichton?
I love the genre he has. It brings a lot of scientific evidence that could be possible and then makes an adventurous story. It’s mind-blowing what he can create and make you believe.

First album you owned?
Sum 41’s “All Killer No Filler.” I think I listened to it until it stopped working. That’s all I listened to that summer.
Now? I’ve been in a Neil Young-type phase. And 1990s alternative. Old 90s hip-hop is my guilty pleasure.

Were you surprised after setting the record?
I never was the person to think “OK, I had two touchdowns that game.” I just tried to do my job the best that I could do. And just knowing the amount of work my teammates and the senior class put in, makes it that much better.

Highlight of your college career?Beating St. John’s – it took some 20 years to do it. To be the team that broke their streak, I knew a lot of alumni were happy to see it happen, too.

What’s the career plan?
I want to be a physical therapist, so I’m starting to apply for schools right now. What I really want to do is pediatrics, maybe through a school system or a smaller clinic that focuses on kids.